Memorial Day At Lake Erie

With family scattered in other Ohio and Indiana cities, Memorial Day weekend provided us a chance to all get together to help Mom celebrate her 76th birthday!  With the help of Dad, we would all surprise Mom with a lunch near their summer get away on Catawba Island near Port Clinton, Ohio.  This area has grown into a "trendy" summer spot on Lake Erie, but to Mom and Dad, the trailer (now called a condominium) is a place to relax!  They love to fish, boat, and visit old friends.  Boat docks are within an easy walking distance, and the channel to the lake takes about 1/2 hour.  Walleye fishing is best in the spring and early summer.  Perch fishing is all season long, but best in the late summer to early fall.  Other favorite sights within an hour are Put-In-Bay, Ohio located on South Bass Island, Kelley's Island, Cedar Point Amuzement Park, East Harbor State Park, Bay Point, and the city of Sandusky.

  If you are adventurous, not much further away is Toledo, Ohio, or Pelee Island, Canada (now, you must have your passport crossing the border). 

On the Sunday of the holiday weekend, the whole immediate family gathered to surprise Mom at a restaurant in the area (a review of the restaurant will follow, soon).  The restaurant knew of this large group (20) with young children, and gave us a screened porch all to ourselves!  The restaurant employees were wonderful!  They were very efficient, and the food was excellent!  Mom was very surprised and maybe a little overwhelmed that we pulled this off without her knowledge. 

Following the lunch, everyone went back to Mom and Dad's place.  Normally, the kids would go swimming in the condominium's pool, but the heater was broken, and the water was freezing.

  Instead we celebrated with cake and ice cream, fun, and fellowship.  To occupy the kids, the fishing poles were dug out, and a trip to the bait shop (Herb's - been there for YEARS!) was made.  The adults were enlisted to bait hooks, and hopefully, take fish off.  Now, for the kids, fishing was done by the boat docks.  My aunt owns the place next to the docks which provides a grassy place for fishing. 

Was the fishing successful?  Well, maybe you can judge from the pictures!  The first to catch a nice sized bluegill was Hannah, our oldest granddaughter.  With a little help from Papa, she hooked the fish and reeled it in to shore.  From that point on, she was proud of the fact she caught the first, but afraid of the wiggly, slimey thing.

  It took a bit of courage to touch the fish especially since her baby sisters weren't afraid.  Next, Audrey pulled in a smaller bluegill, but nonetheless a successful catch!  Though she didn't want to take it off the hook, she did want to throw it back in the water. 

Now it is Adam's (my nephew) turn to catch a fish.  He had already decided on the largest bobber.  We laughed and decided that only a whale or shark could take that bobber under!  Normally not a patient child, he did well.  His first catch was the smallest fish, yet.  It was the second catch that was the largest of the day - a nice sized crappy!  Proud of the face he caught two fish, he "ditched" the fishing pole for other activities.

  Audrey was the most patient of the day, and lasted the longest fishing.  Between her Dad and Uncle Dan, she kept at it to no avail.  She got lots of casting practice, but no fish.  That didn't matter, she had caught one!

With so much to see and do in this area of Lake Erie, it was nice to just relax and enjoy the nice sunny day by the water.  The kids and adults all enjoyed the fishing.  If you ever get a chance to visit this area of Ohio, be sure to allow for an easy day by the water!